Abstract

Scientific research on cycle-routes planning opens up an innovative field of experimentation on drawing techniques based on geo-territorial datasets. Unlike infrastructural networks dedicated to automotive flows, EuroVelo International Cycle route networks promotes a slow mobility model, compatible with the shape of sites, variations of geography and valorization of places characterized by the presence of historical and landscape values. Cycling itineraries are conceived as museum itineraries on the territorial scale; sport activities combine themselves with knowledge of the heritage. Computer-based algorithms introduce the possibility to translate topographic surveys into topological maps which portray a source for planning ‘slow mobility networks’ that aim at turning the journey into a cultural experience. The choice of the instrument of representation plays a decisive role and, in particular, the Geographic Information System (GIS) offers a crucial support to the research. With this kind of digital representation, the image of the territory is subdivided into a series of thematic layers made of ‘linear’ patterns that highlight the hybrid textures of the territory. Moreover, this kind of topological translation acts as an interface for dialogue with administrators and social actors involved in the promotion and administration of cycle routes.

Keywords

Notes

Acknowledgements

The activity presented in the paper is part of the research grant “Geography and historical infrastructures in the architecture of cycle routes of MAB Unesco CollinaPo”, coordinated by prof. Riccardo Palma, at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) of the Polytechnic University of Turin. The case study described in paragraph 2 is related to the master thesis written by Stefano Dighero, entitled “Uso sperimentale di strumenti GIS per lo studio e la produzione di carte orientate al progetto: architetture per la ciclabilità nel Parco del Meisino a Torino”, tutored by Antonia Teresa Spanò and Riccardo Palma and defended on the 22/12/2013 at the Polytechnic of Turin for the master degree course of ‘Architettura e sostenibilità’. The first and the third paragraph of this paper is conceived and written by Andrea Alberto Dutto. The second paragraph of this paper is conceived and written by Stefano Dighero.